Revised methane targets more achievable - farmers
Farmers are welcoming the Government’s revised science-based biogenic methane targets for 2050.
OPINION: The Hound hears John Murphy, chair of Veg NZ, reckons greenhouse vege producers face severe challenges due to changes in the ETS.
Murphy warns, "You'll see a $10 cucumber in no time".
Greenhouse growers will be affected by changes to industrial allocation, where government gives free emission units to businesses, keeping them competitive against countries who aren't facing crippling ETS costs.
There will be fewer free permits than before; some growers will pay an extra $200k this year, which VNZ warns could force them out of business.
Those locked into gas contracts who cannot switch to alternatives will be hit with higher ETS fees for using that gas.
As Murph rightly says, "it's a triumph of bureaucracy".
Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year Competition winners, selected by a panel of European journalists, were announced in Hanover Germany.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.

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OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…